Vice President Kashim Shettima has emphasized that now is an excellent time to invest in Nigeria, citing the critical reforms and policy changes introduced by the administration of President Bola Tinubu. Shettima stated that the government has worked diligently to address several key challenges that previously deterred potential investors.
Shettima made this statement on Tuesday while hosting a delegation from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), led by Hammad Hundal, the Head of its Regional Hub, at the State House in Abuja.
According to the Vice President, the Renewed Hope administration’s ongoing reforms in vital sectors of the economy are creating an increasingly favorable environment for investment in Nigeria.
“It is an exciting opportunity to invest in Nigeria,” Shettima said. “The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has created an enabling environment and continues to do so by addressing the grey areas that once served as disincentives. This is truly a great time to invest in Nigeria.”
Shettima went on to highlight the administration’s focused interventions in key sectors such as human capital development, agriculture, health, education, and digital trade. He noted that these efforts reflect a deep commitment to resolving challenges and fostering sustainable growth across these critical areas.
“Our administration is determined to address the challenges we face in human capital development, financial inclusion, infrastructure, and nutrition. In fact, we have no choice but to tackle these issues head-on, and we will continue taking decisive action,” he assured.
The Vice President also praised Nigeria’s partnership with the Islamic Development Bank, emphasizing that both parties are working in alignment with the country’s national interests. He called on the IsDB to continue supporting key government initiatives such as the Special Agro-Processing Zones (SAPZ) program, the i-DICE project, and efforts to develop a Halal economy in Nigeria.
“I encourage you to incorporate the development of a Halal economy, the promotion of digital trade, and financial inclusion into your Country Engagement Framework (CEF),” Shettima urged the IsDB delegation. “Let’s continue working closely to address the challenges we face and build upon the progress we’ve made.”
The Vice President also reiterated that the bank’s programs in Nigeria are in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda set by President Tinubu, particularly in areas such as agriculture, human capital development, gender inclusion, and investment in education, health infrastructure, and nutrition.
A significant part of the meeting involved the presentation of the IsDB’s CEF to the Vice President by the bank’s Country Economist, Obioma Asuzu. The CEF outlines strategic objectives focused on boosting economic recovery, tackling poverty, building resilience, and fostering green economic growth. Dr. Asuzu explained that the framework is driven by Nigeria’s national priorities and aims to strengthen partnerships with key stakeholders.
In his remarks, Hundal, the Head of the IsDB delegation, reiterated the bank’s commitment to scaling up its interventions in Nigeria. He also discussed the ongoing review of the CEF, with an emphasis on supporting economic infrastructure, private sector development, energy security, and the i-DICE program.
